Retailers welcome Lord Mayor's run

THE National Retail Association welcomed Campbell Newman's intention to contest the next Queensland state election and leadership of the Liberal National Party.

Executive Director Gary Black said the Lord Mayor had been a champion of Brisbane’s retailers and small business community.

“Campbell Newman’s strong leadership would provide an enormous boost to the standing of the LNP with Queensland’s business community,” Mr Black said.

“Business believes the Lord Mayor can lead a competitive, effective and united opposition capable of making a positive contribution to policy formulation.

“Retail trading conditions are desperately poor, especially in regional areas of Queensland, such as Cairns.

“We are very hopeful that Campbell Newman will bring a much needed revitalisation to the LNP leadership, through the same determination and commitment he has shown as Lord Mayor of Brisbane,” Mr Black said.

Mr Black said that Labour Force data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics last week comparing employment in the retail sector in February 2008 to February 2011 provided a key indicator of the challenges we face in Queensland.

“Full time employment in the Queensland retail sector has fallen by 13 percent over the past three years, while total employment across all industries has risen by 4.5 percent.

“The Queensland retail sector is still in a major slump and we welcome positive policies from both sides of politics to work with us to help small businesses recover,” he said.